Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-07-15
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
How 1t Was Observed in But
lar

The slumbering patriotism of the
people was aroused in the new at
Butler on the recent 4th of July.
The effort to make the celebration OF
the day an "old fashioned" one was
quite successful. Never was Main
street of this town more fully crowd
ed with men, women and children.
From nearly every house, store-or Office
foated the flag, all giving evidence
that .'our flag was still there" The
parade upon the streets was larger
than any of late years, and in it were
represented nearly all the branches of
our industries as we'll as some of the
benevolent orders of the place.
The Fire Companies OF the town,
under whose care and management
the exercises were originated and con-
Quoted, deserve great praise for the
manner in which everything was got
ten up and passed off.
After the parade many of the people
assembled at the Lowry House, ac-
cording to program, to hear the
Declaration of Independence read and
listen to an address. After some OF
our National airs were played by the
several bands of music present, the
meeting was called to order by Wal
ter L. Graham, Esq on whose mo-
ton the Hon. A. l.. Hazen was chos-
en- President, and on motion John ID.
Negley, Esq. was elected Secretary
of the meeting.
The Declaration of Independence
was then read by Capt.Jacob Ziegler !,
in clear and impressive manner and
after some remarks appropriate to
the day. S. F. Bowser, Esq. then
delivered the Grafton of the day. His
speech was eloquent and delivered in
q forcible and pleasant manner. 1t
was we'll received by the audience.
The meeting adjourned with three
cheers for THE 4th of july"
After these ceremonies the people
dispersed for dinner. And here is
where the greatest want of our place Is
felt. If there could at point near
town, haye been provided one place
for the general assembling of all for
refreshments it would have been
much more pleasant and satisfactory
By next year perhaps this can be
done. As it was the people general
ly repaired to different restaurants
and hotels, where everything good had
been pr divided in tie way of eatables
Subsequently many visited the pic
mic grounds on the hill south of town
but a rain coming up, about three
O'Clock, started many on their way
homeward.
The displays of FIRE works at night
on the hill in South end, and in fact
in and all around the town, were very
fine and extensive. The skyrockets
never appeared to better advantage
and these with the Roman candles
etc., made the evening q very agreea
BILE one. And here we must join II
condemning that nuisance the "hrt
cracker" This little explosive does
nothing but to annoy. 1t frightens
people as well as horses and teams
and if there are any accidents on the
4th they are almost sure to come
from that little pest, the fire cracker
Besides. they represent nothing good
no sentiment proper to the day, bu
make only disagreeable noise ant
racket. To women they are particu
larly annoying, as well as daDgerou!
in the hands of the small boy. There
is but one opinion about them ant
that is, that the "fire cracker should
go." 1t has had it's day and can wei
be spared. 1t only mars the festivi
ties of the occasion and may hereafter
well be prohibited altogether Bar
ring this Nuisance. and the arrests the
police were forced to make of some
drunken or disorderly men, the ll1tf
celebration of Independence Day
passed off pleasantly and we'll. W.
cannot close this notice, however
without remarking, that it was appar
ent to all that if there had been M
license in this place there would no
have been the number Of staggering
men there were upon the streets. |
W ould be far better policy to TAX
away the cause that puts these per
! SONS upon the streets than to have t.
take them off the streets by polic'
force when thus put on them.